Minturn Mutts calendar release set for Friday

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MINTURN - Congratulations are in order for the 12 "Minturn Mutts" that have been selected as the feature dogs for the 2013 Minturn Mutts Calendar. Fifty six dogs came for the open call last August at the Minturn Community Fund in hopes of being one of the feature mutts. A release party will take place tonight at Kirby Cosmo's BBQ Bar (named after the owners dog), at 474 Main Street in Minturn. Included in the celebration will be appetizers, door prizes, and live music from Kevin Heinz of KHz Music. The "Cover Mutt" will be revealed and calendars will also be on sale for $15 each.

"In our second year, taking the extra step of having callbacks so that we can capture the dogs with a Minturn landmark made an improved difference," said Jodi Jahrling, executive director of the Minturn Community Fund. "Though we sold out of calendars last year, we think this addition will help us sell even more this year. Believe it or not, we even sold calendars online to folks as far away as Virginia!"

One hundred percent of the proceeds benefit the Minturn Community Fund and will be used for their Neighbors in Need program. You may be familiar with "Minturn Mondays" where a household staple is given out the last Monday of every month. Past Minturn Mondays have included milk, eggs, bread, and even toilet paper. The funds are also used for family emergency relief and scholarships.

All 56 dogs were voted on by a group of unbiased people (most lived out of state) so no one knew the owners or the dogs. Basic information completed in an application was shown to the judges: dog's name, age, breed,and favorite toy, as well as the recent photo of the dog from the open call.

"It's so great to see everyone embrace this calendar, we sold out on ads too," said Jahrling. "Minturn is a dog friendly town. It's a natural fit to showcase that."